Network seeks to reverse brain drain

AMMAN — The Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) has urged Jordanian scientists abroad to register in a network that seeks to reverse brain drain by connecting them with their counterparts in the Kingdom.

Launched by the council in 2014, the Jordanian Scientists and Technologists Abroad (JOSTA-Network) seeks to encourage Jordanian scientists living abroad to work for the Kingdom virtually and physically through the implementation of joint research, development activities and business ventures.

“I urge all scientists and technologists in Jordan to register in the network as the current registration rate from Jordan stands at 70 per cent,” HCST Secretary General Khalid Shraideh said during a ceremony last Thursday to honour El Hassan Bin Talal Award for Scientific Excellence winners.

He said spending on scientific research currently stands at about 0.5 per cent of the gross domestic product although Jordan has the highest number of scientific researchers per capita when compared with the rest of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) member states. 

Jordan has 2,000 scientists per 1 million people, while the average in OIC countries is 500 scientists for every 1 million, according to Shraideh.

JOSTA is reaching out to Jordanian scientists and technologists abroad via different means including the Kingdom’s diplomatic missions, the Internet, international agencies and researchers working in local academic, research and other institutions, the council said in a statement.

So far, JOSTA has contacted more than 100 Jordanian scientists abroad, 50 of whom have registered in the network. 

Of those, 30 have been put in contact with their peers in Jordan and they have already started discussing cooperation initiatives.

In August this year, the output of cooperation initiatives will be presented at a conference in the Kingdom, according to the council.